Chapter Eleven #2
The rest of the team got away with cuts, scrapes and mild concussions.
Tyler had taken care of him the best he could in the field, but he’d been unconscious the whole time.
When he had finally woken, he had already been transported to Landstuhl, the German US military hospital.
He had cuts and bruises from some shrapnel, but his tactical gear had done a good job protecting his body. His head not so much.
“It’s early days. You heard the doctor. The blindness could be a result of the shock to your brain. We gotta wait for the inflammation to go down.” Dex was trying to sound reassuring.
Yeah, he’d heard the doctors. There was minor swelling they were treating with medication.
It was going down, but way too slow. There had been talks of surgery, but that was a last resort.
His head throbbed like a motherfucker, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that there were no guarantees he would see again.
He heard the door open and then Steve’s voice. “Brought you a proper coffee.”
Donnie mumbled his thanks and heard the cup being placed next to him on the cabinet.
“Any news on when I can get out of here,” he asked the darkness.
He wanted to get home, even if that meant being in Westside.
Ryan’s girl was head of the E.R. there. He’d feel much better hearing news from her.
Sophie wouldn't bullshit him. He trusted her to tell him the truth without holding back.
“Nothing yet. Sam is in contact with your doctor. As soon as it's safe to transport you, he’ll make it happen,” Dex said.
“You guys should go home. There’s no need for you to stay. Go home to your families.”
“Not happening. We go home together as a team,” Steve said.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, I can’t fucking see. I’m not a part of the team anymore,” he snapped.
“You’ve given up already?” Steve challenged.
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one facing a life of darkness. It’s been four fucking days and no change. Zero. Nothing.”
Donnie leaned his head back. The door opened again with more footsteps. The rest of Raven. The boys offered greetings, but Donnie stayed quiet. He hated this. He didn't want them here, seeing him so helpless.
“So, any update from Sam?” Ryan asked.
“Nothing. The brothers are in the wind,” Dex said. “Had to be a tunnel.”
“Yeah. They were there. Prepared with vests for any type of attack. If both vests had gone off in that house, not sure anyone would have got out. There were women and children there. They left them knowing they were going to blow the place up. Fuckers.” Tyler’s voice.
As Donnie listened, his anger built. The bastards were out there walking around while he lay here, blind.
Donnie snapped, “The intel was shit. They knew we were coming. Had the vests ready and a plan in place.”
“We don’t know that they knew we were coming. We’re not the only ones that want them dead. Daram’s own Prime Minister for one,” Dex said.
“We were told the intel was good. No one mentioned vests and tunnels.”
“If they had, are you suggesting we wouldn't have gone? This is what we do.”
“No. This is different. We all know it. Reborn will do anything to kill us and they nearly succeeded. When do we say enough?” Donnie was sweating he was so fucking angry. The rest of the team were quiet.
“So we stop going after them because it’s personal?
Ignore them?” Donnie heard the screech of a chair being pushed back and sensed Dex standing next to him.
“You’re right they want us dead. Have you forgotten all those people who got hurt or died because of how many times they’ve come after us?
They blew up a building with our people in it.
They planned a goddamn sarin attack in our town.
They murdered my father. You think if we back off, they are going to stop?
No fucking way. They will keep coming until we stop them. ”
Footsteps. The door opened and shut.
“Donnie—” Ryan said, but Donnie raised his hand.
“Don’t. Get out. All of you. I need some time alone.”
“Donnie, you're pissed. I get it—”
“No, you don’t fucking get it. Get out. Give me some fucking space.”
Silence surrounded him, then he heard them leave. He sighed. He shouldn’t have vented, but he was the one facing a future he had no idea how he would handle.
Sensing he wasn't alone, he turned his head.
“You calmed down?” Steve said.
“I asked you to leave.”
“Yeah, well. I ain’t leaving you alone to sulk by yourself.”
“Fine, but I’m not in the mood to talk.”
“Fine by me. I think you’ve said enough.”
Donnie heard the chair screech again as Steve sat. He moved to sit up, feeling thirsty. He reached toward where the cabinet should be.
“Here.” Steve placed the coffee in his hand.
Donnie mumbled his thanks and took a sip.
“You were out of line, Donnie. None of us could have seen this coming. We worked with the intel we had. Like we always do.”
So much for not talking. Donnie stayed quiet.
“Onyx was created for exactly this reason. To do the jobs no one else wants because they’re dangerous. The risks are high. We agreed as a team to do this. Including you.”
Donnie took another sip of coffee before answering.
“I’m angry. OK? And I’m scared. Scared fucking shitless.” He looked away as tears filled his eyes. Steve’s hand landed on his arm.
“Of course, you’re scared. Any of us would be. The team are here for you, man. Always. But you cannot give up, you hear me? Until a doctor says that this is permanent, there is every chance your sight will return. It’s only been four days.”
Blinking back the tears, Donnie turned his head back. “I keep thinking about what I’m going to do if...”
“Don’t. We are not there yet.”
Donnie sighed. “I need to get out of here. I need to be home.”
“And we’ll get you there as soon as we can. Do you want me to call your folks yet?”
“No. They’ll only worry. I’ll call when we know more.”
“Anyone else I can call?”
The only other person he wanted to talk to was Charlie. He missed her. Every time he’d closed his eyes on this op, he thought about her. It was wrong, but he couldn’t help it. He shook his head.
“No.” No way did he want her seeing him like this.
The door opened.
“The doctor has the results of today’s scan. He’ll be by in a minute,” Dex said, his voice calmer.
Donnie turned his head toward him, but before he could speak the doctor entered and announced himself in accented English.
“We’ll wait outside,” Dex offered.
“No. Stay.” Donnie said. They might as well hear it firsthand.
“There is some good news. The inflammation has reduced; the medication is working.” The doctor said in his thick German accent.
“That’s great news,” Steve said.
“What’s the bad news?” Donnie asked, his heart racing.
“It’s too soon to tell about your eyes. Once the inflammation has gone completely, we can do more tests. It’s reducing slowly and might take some time. You should be prepared.”
“How much time?”
“Hard to say. Days, weeks.”